The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-01-19

INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES OF
DEPRESSION.

our former communication, we mao
reference to the scarcity of leading
articles of commerce and OF every
day use. which existed in our coun-
ty at the close of the war between
the States, as one of the results OF
the war, and of the high prices and
rapid exchanges which were wit
messed in this entire country for
many years thereafter, all Of which
are attributable to Isl purely
temporary. The basis upon which
we are now settling is simply no
more nor less than where we may
expect to rest in time of peace, when
few are required in the army and all
our people are permitted to 60 about
the various avOcations oflife. Every
trade, profession and calling will
naturally fill up. Living is reduced
to a science, and is no longer OBJ
tanned by chance and luck.
The margin in every occupation
becomes close, should any calling or
any business pay largely. it is soon
reduced to a level by the rush ofthe
multitude, who are ever looking on
with eager eyes, and thus all the
various avocatiOns of men in time of
peace are ever seeking a level.
We have, perhaps, never witnessed
just such a state of things as we are
now witnessing in u country. In
reorganizing country during the
few years that followed our conflict,
our entire machinery, political, com
mercial and social, was arranged up
on a basis in harmony with the times
then existing.
Our government with all of its
officers and employees was regulated
upon a basis that contemplated high
prices and abundant money. The
various literary professions, as they
are called. adjusted their business in
harmony with the times, in short,
the abundance of money made it
easy with all.
Now, after the lapse of twenty
years, we see the farmer confronted
with the same prices in many par
ticulars, as in 1868 or 1870, while his
products are worth, in some cases
one-half, in others one-third, what
they were then. 1t is true he is en-
abled to live cheaper than in 1870,
but it only requires a casual glance
to see that there is to-day a great
want of equalization in prices in our
country. He has seen his own labor
decline in value, far below that n
other callings. He has seen his own
products decline in price, year after
year, until the margin between the
present value OF his years crop, and
the cost Of its production, will scarce
ly leave him twenty-five cents per
day for his labor; yet he hears ring
ing all through the land, that the
salaries and fees of those who run
the government should be increased.
Is it Just? Is it right, when the
labor OF two-thirds of our population
is now reduced to almost nothing,
and when the Registers office shows
hundreds and thousands of our
farms now ready to pass under the
hammer, that any further burden
should be imposed upon our people?
Does not mercy, does not justice, cry
aloud, spare, spare the goose that lays
the goLden egg
Is there an office in this State
which cannot be filled by a good,
competent nan because Gifts meagre
salary -? Will not one dollar now
purchase as many Of the nec~essaries
of life as did two dollars ten or twelve
years ago? Is it not probable that
the purchasing power of money will
increase rather than diminish
Go, we who call for increased sal
aries and fees, and stand about your
court house doors on sale days and
e the lands that are being sold for
taxes, and ask if this is not a day of
economy. Away with all penurious-
ness, but down to rigid economy as
the times demand.
1t has been said, Cotton is King.
The products of the farm should, by
right, have much influence upon
other prices in all countries. Few
mel know-what poor business oa,i
farmers are doing just All
know they are greatly behind, and
here they stop.
H. C. O. i